OWNERS of Vauxhall cars in Suffolk were told today that they will soon receive letters giving them advice about their vehicles' handbrakes.But the company stressed it was not recalling cars - and it would be up to owners if they wanted a free check and adjustment to the braking system in their Vectra and Signum cars.

OWNERS of Vauxhall cars in Suffolk were told today that they will soon receive letters giving them advice about their vehicles' handbrakes.

But the company stressed it was not recalling cars - and it would be up to owners if they wanted a free check and adjustment to the braking system in their Vectra and Signum cars.

Felixstowe cabbie Ron Grant is waiting to hear if he will be prosecuted after his Vectra ran away and smashed into a pensioner, leaving her seriously injured. He is adamant he left the handbrake fully on.

A spokesman for Vauxhall Motors Ltd said there had been a small number of complaints of Vectras and Signums rolling away due to allegedly ineffective handbrakes.

Engineers had conducted rigorous technical tests on those vehicles which found that when the handbrake is applied by depressing the release button, it is possible to manipulate the handbrake mechanism to cause it to release partially.

“Vauxhall believes that the handbrake system used in the Vectra and Signum is safe. However, Vauxhall treats all matters relating to the safety of its products as its highest priority,” said a company spokesman.

“In line with this priority, Vauxhall has decided to implement a modification to the handbrake mechanism to reduce the possibility of a partial release when incorrectly setting the handbrake.”